Our writers around the Nation Network have done a fantastic
job profiling all the top prospects for this weekend’s NHL draft. Here is all you need to know about the players
expected to be picked early in tomorrow’s first round.

MOCK DRAFT

Mock drafts are always fun, so we polled writers from each
site to see who could put together the best guess for tomorrow’s top 10 picks.

Smarter management? The Flames tried duct taping their 2004 Cup roster for 8 years thinking if they could just get into the playoffs one more time Iggy and Kipper could carry them to the Cup. Lowe did the same thing in Edmonton but was smart enough to change course after 4 years instead of 8.

And let's not forget that beauty of an offer sheet to O'Reilly where they could have lost a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick plus O'Reilly through waivers. Oh yeah...reeeeeal smart lol.

Better development? Like who? They drafted Backlund 7 years ago and he's produced all of 1 season over 30 PT. They haven't developed a single good forward since Iggy. Brodie and Giordano are a nice pair on the blueline; they've been developing for 6 and 12 years respectively. Otherwise Calgary hasn't developed squat.

Edm likes Draisaitl but they wont pass up Reinhart
Dal Colle is who Calgary wants anyway if Reinhart is gone... all the knocks on him seem to come mainly from one tourney... just a handful of games... he could have been playing injured who knows

You could be right... but I really think Draisaitl and Dal Colle are both intriguing prospects...although I am suspect of how high Edm has Draisatl ranked.

As well I really want The flames to get Sam... he is a guy you can build around even if the offense doesnt come straight away

Anyway I am enjoying this... everyone pretty much knew the Flames would take Monahan and Edm would take Nurse last year... this year everything seems kind of up in the air. who knows Draisaitl could be a great pick... so could a lot of others.. kind of suspenseful...Id love to see a list from Cal or Edm

Ya, this is gonna be the most intriguing drafts in years. They're gonna have 2or3 players to choose from, and whoever they don't pick is gonna go to calgary of all places! Pressures on to get it right!!(I take that back, they have no pressure. We all know they can screw up for years without any repricusions) lets hope they get it right.

Based on Stauffer's comments over the past month, it sounds like edmonton has the first round ranked as follows:
1-Ekblad
2-Draisaitl
3-Bennett/Reinhardt tied

With Marincin, Klefbom, Nurse, Gernat, Musil, and Simpson up and coming on D and only Lander and Arcobello coming up at C you could argue that a center is a larger need for the Oil right now. I'm sure they take Ekblad if he slides to 3, but they have got to be happy with the third selection as it stands right now.

In classic Oilers fashion, the year Eichel and McDavid are available, they will finish 9th and miss not only the playoffs, but the chance at picking the best player available in 8 years

Don't get too far ahead of yourself.. They are changing the Draft lottery system so the odds are spread out more next year. Finish in the bottom 10 and you will have a real shot at 1st overall... Of course Oilers are going to be in the bottom 10, Right?!

I'll be happy if the Oilers get McDavid, but the Oilers won't be last next year because Florida, Buffalo and the Shames are worse then them.

The Flames and Oilers seasons are clearly reflected in their position in the draft - 3rd worst team and 4th worst team in the league. Nothing to stick your chest out about. Having said that, the Flames were competitive 95 per cent of the games last year. They battled, fought and competed which is much more than we can say about the Oilers. 4th last in the league and the knowledgeable Flame fans gave the team a standing ovation following the final game. The Oilers were hit and miss and stunk the joint out on many occasions. The knowledgeable Oiler fans showed their displeasure with repeated jersey tossing and booing the home team. And that my friends tells you all you need to know abou the two team's seasons. The Flames are due for a possible setback and the Oilers should improve. Stay tuned.

if by miniscule difference, you mean that Flames fans surprisingly enjoyed the season while Oiler fans got more onry and frustrated by the minute... then ya, I could agree there was little difference.

as for the rest... can't argue, you win. :-)

The Flames were better loosers, while the Oilers lost in style, who cares, they both sucked hard. Maybe Jankowski will come play in your giant tampon in 6 years and be the 13th forward you always coveted.

The Flames were better loosers, while the Oilers lost in style, who cares, they both sucked hard. Maybe Jankowski will come play in your giant tampon in 6 years and be the 13th forward you always coveted.

How is it possible to get 3 consecutive first round picks and add a hot commodity in J.Schultz , and get up to 24th place and then follow it up with barely a 28th place finish ? Boggles the mind how they have consistently surrounded their assets with such a terrible core to compliment them .

For one of the most profitable organizations it's easy. This is a business plain and simple. They make a ton of money. Unfortunately we in Edmonton have made it religion and it's screwing our minds and previous success is altering our perception of what should be.

Do fans deserve better? Yes. Mac T is using his MBA to the best of his ability and hopefully he really does have the scope to make the team better in the short and long term.

The suck is getting painful and wish we could win again. Cheering in hopes they can show there is a chance to win every game would be great.

OK, you got the "we are going to be better in the future..." part right, but where is the "we were better in the past" half? come on Edmonton fan, you're slipping!

Edmonton fans have been living on the "we are going to be so much better then you this year" for years now, as if that somehow makes them better now. Or maybe, it just makes them feel better to say, "we were better then Calgary back before cell phones and home computers were around, plus, with all these first overall, we are so going to be better then you next year"

Either way, we (Flames fans) are not commenting on the Oiler sight; you realize that, right? so, technically, there are no trolls, just the truth. just the sad truth for Edmonton Oilers, re-re-rebuild

Really hope you are correct Jeff.

There are probably more reasons than not that Oilers won't finish higher than 29th.

Jake Eichel could likely be the price to pay. :-(

Neither Flames nor Oilers are going to be climbing out of Pacific basement any time soon.

Therefore, if the Oilers take Ritchie we'll trump the Burkian philosophy and should be well poised for Eichel. The slow burn continues, but please don't fool yourself that Burke knows the way to promised land.

If you aren't sure of the future Flaming scourched earth reread the FlamesNation article on the last decade of Flame drafting.

Don't get too far ahead of yourself.. They are changing the Draft lottery system so the odds are spread out more next year. Finish in the bottom 10 and you will have a real shot at 1st overall... Of course Oilers are going to be in the bottom 10, Right?!

we take draisaitl at 3(cant ignore the size element and possession skills),seriously go after goc as a mentor and capable third line center or even jokinen(size again and 25 goals).gagner gets dealt for draft picks(perhaps a 2nd and 3rd)or a younger 5/6 defenseman.that i would consider very positive trasactions in the next week or so.gagner gets put out of his misery,we have a much improved roster from last october and mactavish has months to work a deal on a top tier dman.now i am tired,this crystal ball is keeping me up.

Edm likes Draisaitl but they wont pass up Reinhart
Dal Colle is who Calgary wants anyway if Reinhart is gone... all the knocks on him seem to come mainly from one tourney... just a handful of games... he could have been playing injured who knows

No. No. No. No.... Sam Reinhart is exactly what the Oilers already have. A small, insanely skilled forward. Leon Draisaitl is exactly what we dont have. A big, promising centre. None of our best 5 centremen (Nuge, Gagner, Gordon, Arco, Lander) are over 6'1, 200 lbs, which is what hockeydb has Gordon listed at. LD is listed at 6'1, 209 in the WHL system, and he's got three more years of growing.

After watching the Bruins goon the Wings, and Pens bow out with D shoulder injuries, and the Rangers take out Mtl, and Chi and LA hit in he East, I figure the bigger players will command a premium. Like Nick Ritchie(?), the 224lber if is still available. Like trading down to maybe have a shot at the USHD RWer later in the 1st rd and a 3rd round pick or something. Gonna post Pavelec's SP over last three seasons vs the team avg, and compare against all other starting goalies playing at least 100 games and 10 per yr minimum. I expect Pavelec to be in the lowest 5%.
I dunno why Jets want Stanstny. He had a Jokinen-like yr very recently where led his team in minus.
I used to play Little League. When I got angry that I got nicked by a pitch I'd huck my bat at the pitcher. I was suspended, then banned. Kept doing it at every level of ball. Even pick up games in the park, I'd be hucking the bat at the pitcher and starting fights. Everyone hated me. I even had to do time and get counselling.
But then yesterday, an elderly lady across ther street had her purse snatched. The jerk hurt her or shoulder in the process. She was in pain and yelling "purse-thief! Purse-thief!! Someone do something!".
I sprang into action. It was like the 88 flashback from 'Necessary Roughness", I found a 2x4 from a cement form at my foot, and hucked it across the strike. Direct hit! I was redeemed for all that sports muscle-memory practise. All the nay-sayers were wrong. ...Just when she thought her day couldn't get any worse.